Mizoram’s First Literary Festival, LEI, Celebrates the Power of Words
Mizoram hosted its first-ever literary festival, LEI, on October 17-18 at the Aijal Club, drawing an impressive array of authors, poets, and participants from both Mizoram and across India. The festival celebrated Mizoram’s rich literary heritage, offering a vibrant platform for discussion and exchange of ideas.
The festival highlighted Mizo modern literature, featuring noted writers and contributors from both established voices and emerging talents. Discussions ranged from topics like history, translation, publishing, and more. Among the notable speakers were renowned author Sanjoy Hazarika, who spoke on “Walking the Land/Listening to the Land,” and academic Prof. Joy Pachuau of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who presented on “Being Mizo.”
A star-studded panel of prominent authors included Jerry Pinto and Shiny Anthony, co-director of the Bangalore Literary Festival, and Ivo Puig, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic. Puig discussed the cultural ties between the “Blue Archipelago of the Caribbean,” where his country is located, and the “Green Archipelago of the North East.”
The audience was engaged by insightful speeches, including one by the Minister of State for Sports, LESDE Lalnghowsa Hmar, who emphasized the importance of literary expression in bridging tensions and promoting peace.
Festival Organising Committee Chairman Vanlalruata Ralte expressed his excitement for future editions of LEI, promising that the festival will continue to grow and support Mizo writers in sharing their stories with the world. Education Minister Dr. Vanlalhlana also addressed the gathering, sharing his passion for reading and the contributions of over 100 authors and illustrators.
Chief Secretary Renu Sharma, speaking at the festival’s opening, praised the diverse presence of writers and stressed the importance of translating Mizo literature to make it accessible to wider audiences.